Shaking the Tree

This book presents a series of reprinted articles from the journal Nature. The journal is not aimed at the mass market, it is a serious reference for scientists and students of science. This book's stated intention is to provide material for students. 'To provide added spice to nourishing-but-bland textbooks, for the student who likes to look a little farther, and aim a little higher'. Each of the 19 reviews looks at a different aspect of palaeontology or evolution. The texts are drawn from issues of Nature published throughout the 1990s, so the material is not new. Each essay is serious, thorough, and aims to set out a timeless comment on our understanding of the the world around us. The book is arranged in five parts. It starts with general issues, then looks progressively at molecular embryology, early stages of the evolution of life, the radiation of major groups of multicellular organisms from a cladistic perspective, finally focusing on the development of primates. The length, style and complexity of the contributions varies, though all end with an extensive list of references. All of the authors are acknowledged experts and some are widely known (for example, Stephen Jay Gould), while others are known only within their field of work or research. This is not an entirely easy read by any means, but for students, and others with a more formal interest in the science represented here, it is an invaluable collection, its authority underwritten by the undoubted powerful reputation of the journal Nature. (Kirkus UK)